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- K2- Fall Exploration
- K2- Float or Sink?
- K2 Boats
- boat images
- G1 Super Science Centers
- G1 Wind!
- G1 Living Museum Props
- G1 A Reason for the Seasons
- Caterpillar images
- G2 Super Science Centers
- G2 Fantastic Forests
- G2 Dinosaurs are DINOmite!
- Dinosaur pictures
- G3 Earthbound
- G3 Blast Off!
- G3 Stargazing
- G3/G4 Welcome to the NHCS Zoo!
- G4 Wonderful Water
- G4 Clean It Like Mother Nature!
- G4 Adam, the Atom
- Maps of the United States
- Cloud Pictures
- Anatomy of a Flower
- G5 Lift it with a Lever!
- G5 Pinball Wizard
- G5 Rube Goldberg Machines
- Images of lunar landing space crafts
- G6/7 Biomimicry and Arthropods
- Enrichment- Shadow Boxes
- Famous buildings
- Types of Plants
Wondering about the basics of KIDLAB and how to start your own? Check out the most frequently asked questions below! If after exploring you still have questions, feel free to send an email to [email protected]
Q. What is KIDLAB?
A. KIDLAB is an inventive, project-based science program that presents students with an opportunity to experience science and the arts in a risk-free, highly engaging environment. With a unique classroom environment that is akin to a science lab, art studio and a hands-on museum, KIDLAB gets students excited about and involved in learning by integrating science with art, imagination and real-world problems.
Q. Who created KIDLAB and when was it created?
A. KIDLAB was created by NHCS headmaster Kevin Andrews with the intention of making science accessible to all types of learners.
Q. What grades does KIDLAB cater to?
A. At NHCS, KIDLAB serves grades K1 through 8.
Q. How many times a week do students come to KIDLAB?
A. Students at NHCS visit the KIDLAB in different ways, based on the grade. Some grades meet once a week in groups of ten for 45 minutes throughout the entire year while other grades do the same but in half-year rotations. The 5th grade visits KIDLAB in groups of 12 four days a week for 50 minutes on a quarter system. The middle school (grades 6-8) can elect to come to KIDLAB during their arts enrichment period, 3 days a week on a four week cycle.
Q. How does KIDLAB work with the regular science curriculum?
A. KIDLAB is a compliment to the regular in-class science curriculum. The KIDLAB teacher meets with the classroom teacher on a weekly/biweekly basis to integrate lessons, topics, and ideas. For example, if a classroom is learning about the habitats of the world through reading and writing, in KIDLAB students will create habitat dioramas and eventually make a real habitat to house a classroom pet. KIDLAB is also a place when science labs can take place without having to worry about large group instruction or incredible mess.
Q. How much does KIDLAB cost to run?
A. KIDLAB (not including the salary of the teacher and start up cost) will probably cost between $1,000 and $3,000 a year. The actual yearly cost of KIDLAB depends on the number of students who will be participating. Many of the materials used in KIDLAB will be recycled materials (newspapers, eggs cartons, paper towel tubes, ect) donated by parents, coworkers and local businesses. Much of the KIDLAB budget goes towards consumable art supplies like glue, tape, paint, paper, markers, craft materials, flour and animal care supplies. Buying in bulk is recommended to cut back on cost.
Q. What furniture will I need in KIDLAB?
A. KIDLAB requires sturdy tables and chairs, lots of storage shelves, a drying rack for wet projects, a whiteboard/chalkboard, and a sink. It should be set up in a room that can get very messy.
Q. What are the absolute "must-haves" for the KIDLAB classroom?
A. Over the years I have found that there are a couple items that are necessary to the atmosphere in KIDLAB. Tool-wise, lots of glue guns, masking tape, glue sticks, and strong scissors are a must. Smocks and newspaper are equally as important to have on hand. Magnifying glasses and nature objects (shells, nests, bones) are a great way to teach kids to explore the world around them. The big ticket items that make learning in KIDLAB a blast is a life-sized skeleton and a living animal of some kind (I suggest a turtle; easy to take care of but lots of fun to watch).
Q. I love the idea of KIDLAB but I don't think I can implement it on the large scale. How can I put KIDLAB into my regular classroom?
A. The great thing about KIDLAB is that it can be modified to fit any setting.
* If you are a classroom teacher, set up a science center in the corner of your room. You can rotate artifacts and tools in the center to keep things fresh and new; take apart a motorized toy to see how the insides work or plant a small indoor garden and watch it grow.
* No space in your room? Think about putting Science in a Suitcase. Put different artifacts, books, pictures and games based on one specific science topic in a suitcase with the title visible on the outside. Allow students to pull out and explore a suitcase during free-time, indoor recess or when they have completed an assignment.
* Are you an after-school teacher? Have a rolling science cart that you can move around the school with you. Keep it filled with art supplies, recyclables, natural objects and science books. Choose a topic for the week and see how the kids explore!
Q. What is KIDLAB?
A. KIDLAB is an inventive, project-based science program that presents students with an opportunity to experience science and the arts in a risk-free, highly engaging environment. With a unique classroom environment that is akin to a science lab, art studio and a hands-on museum, KIDLAB gets students excited about and involved in learning by integrating science with art, imagination and real-world problems.
Q. Who created KIDLAB and when was it created?
A. KIDLAB was created by NHCS headmaster Kevin Andrews with the intention of making science accessible to all types of learners.
Q. What grades does KIDLAB cater to?
A. At NHCS, KIDLAB serves grades K1 through 8.
Q. How many times a week do students come to KIDLAB?
A. Students at NHCS visit the KIDLAB in different ways, based on the grade. Some grades meet once a week in groups of ten for 45 minutes throughout the entire year while other grades do the same but in half-year rotations. The 5th grade visits KIDLAB in groups of 12 four days a week for 50 minutes on a quarter system. The middle school (grades 6-8) can elect to come to KIDLAB during their arts enrichment period, 3 days a week on a four week cycle.
Q. How does KIDLAB work with the regular science curriculum?
A. KIDLAB is a compliment to the regular in-class science curriculum. The KIDLAB teacher meets with the classroom teacher on a weekly/biweekly basis to integrate lessons, topics, and ideas. For example, if a classroom is learning about the habitats of the world through reading and writing, in KIDLAB students will create habitat dioramas and eventually make a real habitat to house a classroom pet. KIDLAB is also a place when science labs can take place without having to worry about large group instruction or incredible mess.
Q. How much does KIDLAB cost to run?
A. KIDLAB (not including the salary of the teacher and start up cost) will probably cost between $1,000 and $3,000 a year. The actual yearly cost of KIDLAB depends on the number of students who will be participating. Many of the materials used in KIDLAB will be recycled materials (newspapers, eggs cartons, paper towel tubes, ect) donated by parents, coworkers and local businesses. Much of the KIDLAB budget goes towards consumable art supplies like glue, tape, paint, paper, markers, craft materials, flour and animal care supplies. Buying in bulk is recommended to cut back on cost.
Q. What furniture will I need in KIDLAB?
A. KIDLAB requires sturdy tables and chairs, lots of storage shelves, a drying rack for wet projects, a whiteboard/chalkboard, and a sink. It should be set up in a room that can get very messy.
Q. What are the absolute "must-haves" for the KIDLAB classroom?
A. Over the years I have found that there are a couple items that are necessary to the atmosphere in KIDLAB. Tool-wise, lots of glue guns, masking tape, glue sticks, and strong scissors are a must. Smocks and newspaper are equally as important to have on hand. Magnifying glasses and nature objects (shells, nests, bones) are a great way to teach kids to explore the world around them. The big ticket items that make learning in KIDLAB a blast is a life-sized skeleton and a living animal of some kind (I suggest a turtle; easy to take care of but lots of fun to watch).
Q. I love the idea of KIDLAB but I don't think I can implement it on the large scale. How can I put KIDLAB into my regular classroom?
A. The great thing about KIDLAB is that it can be modified to fit any setting.
* If you are a classroom teacher, set up a science center in the corner of your room. You can rotate artifacts and tools in the center to keep things fresh and new; take apart a motorized toy to see how the insides work or plant a small indoor garden and watch it grow.
* No space in your room? Think about putting Science in a Suitcase. Put different artifacts, books, pictures and games based on one specific science topic in a suitcase with the title visible on the outside. Allow students to pull out and explore a suitcase during free-time, indoor recess or when they have completed an assignment.
* Are you an after-school teacher? Have a rolling science cart that you can move around the school with you. Keep it filled with art supplies, recyclables, natural objects and science books. Choose a topic for the week and see how the kids explore!